Fire Destroys Martinez Home

MARTINEZ, CA — A Martinez home was deemed uninhabitable after a fire tore through the two-story structure early Saturday morning, according to the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District. The home was under construction but the homeowner was living there and fortunately, was alerted to the fire by a smoke alarm, Con Fire officials said.

Twenty-five firefighters responded to the blaze reported at 1:15 a.m. Oct. 19 at 43 Corte De La Canada off Alhambra Valley Road.

The first unit responded to a report of smoke in a house and loss of electricity, and arrived within minutes, fire officials said. Members of the first crew were met with heavy fire from the garage of a two-story house, and immediately started a fire attack of the home's exterior, according to Con Fire Battalion Chief Kevin Platt.

The homeowner was confirmed safe and uninjured.

"The occupant fortunately was able to exit through a side bedroom door because smoke conditions at the front hallway were too heavy to use the front door," Platt said.

Additional resources arrived, and with six fire companies the blaze was extinguished within 25 minutes, according to fire officials.

"Unique construction and significant fire damage to the floor of the second story complicated the overhaul process," Platt said. "Crews worked for nearly six hours to salvage property and complete extinguishment before departing the scene."

The extent of the damage left the house uninhabitable.

The cause of the fire remained under investigation.

"The home was under construction at the time of the fire and a Contra Costa Fire investigator responded to conduct the investigation," Platt said.

Con Fire personnel assigned to Martinez, Pacheco, Pleasant Hill, Concord, Pittsburg and Walnut Creek all responded to the fire. Personnel from Crockett Fire, PG&E and Alliance Medic were also at the scene.